Record low water levels are plaguing major European rivers, including the Rhine, Danube, and Po, as prolonged heatwaves and drought conditions persist across the continent. These critical waterways are experiencing levels not seen since records began, impacting transportation, industry, and agriculture.
The River Rhine, one of Europe's busiest transport arteries, has fallen to historically low levels in Germany and the Netherlands. In Cologne, Germany, and Lobith, at the border with the Netherlands, measurements have reached unprecedented lows. The navigable water depth at the chokepoint of Kaub, Germany, hit a 2018 record low of 25 centimeters, significantly restricting the ability of cargo vessels to navigate. While shipping is not expected to be entirely suspended, precautions such as reducing cargo loads per vessel are necessary, potentially leading to increased transport costs and supply chain disruptions.
Similar critical conditions are affecting the Danube River, which flows through 10 countries. Water levels have fallen to 30-year lows in Serbia and Romania. This has forced Hungary to temporarily shut down its MVM Paks Nuclear Power Plant due to insufficient cooling water. "We don't know when we will be able to restart [the plant]," stated Prime Minister Peter Magyar, expressing hope for rain to alleviate the situation. Serbia has reduced output at its coal-fired power plants due to cooling system disruptions, and Romania has undertaken measures to increase water flow to its Cernavoda nuclear power plant.
Italy's Po River, the country's longest, also reached a historic low near Cremona in late July. Authorities have raised the drought alert level to "high" across the entire Po Valley, with concerns about potential disruptions to drinking water supplies. The reduced river flow has allowed saltwater to intrude further upstream, affecting the river's ecosystem and posing significant challenges for farmers relying on the Po for irrigation.
Drought conditions have been exacerbated by renewed heatwave conditions, with temperatures expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in many central and southern European countries. According to Germany's Low Water Information System (NIWIS), at the end of July, 44% of Rhine measuring stations and 78% of Danube stations recorded extremely low water levels.
While a recent study by the World Weather Attribution group found no clear long-term trend toward lower rainfall across much of Europe, researchers noted that human-caused climate change is increasing evaporation due to higher temperatures, thereby making drought conditions more probable. The intense heat also drives up demand for water for household, agricultural, and industrial uses. Droughts can also affect lake levels, further impacting freshwater resources, and have been linked to increased wildfire activity and carbon emissions, as seen in 2022.